Obituary: Agnes Swanson

March 27, 1912 - April 18, 2007

March 27, 1912 - April 18, 2007

April 20, 2007

SOUTH BEND - Agnes (Baldoni) Swanson, 95, of South Bend, passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2007. She was born March 27, 1912, in Pitigliano, Italy, and came to this country at the age of four with her mother and two brothers. Her father was already here. Although she spent most of her life in South Bend, she did spend several years in Booneville, Arkansas. Her parents, Natale and Assunta Baldoni, her brothers, Louis F. Baldoni, Ideal Baldoni and Joseph Baldoni, a niece, Donna Newcomer, and a nephew, Louis Baldoni, preceded her in death. On September 21, 1940, in South Bend, as Agnes E. Baldoni, she married Helge E. Swanson. They were married 66 years. Agnes is survived by her husband, Helge Swanson; three daughters, Karen Swanson and Sylvia Long, both of South Bend, and Lori (Michael) Mroczek of Edwardsburg, MI; four grandchildren, Michelle (Stephen) Megyese of Mishawaka, Dylan Long of Portland, OR, Shawn Miller of South Bend and Kassidy Abbott of South Bend. Also surviving Agnes are three great-grandchildren, Matthew Megyese, Amanda Megyese and Austin Abbott. In addition, four nieces, Susie (James) Shyman of Gold River, CA, Jeannie Hougland of Signal Hill, CA, Beth Baldoni of South Bend and Mary Jo (Curtis) Blankenship of South Bend, three nephews, Ideal (Judith Ann) Baldoni of Naples, FL, Nat (Nancy) Baldoni of Springfield, MO, and Sam (Sharon) Baldoni of Central Point, OR, survive Agnes as well. Other great-nieces and great-nephews include Tammy Heithoff, Stacie Hougland, Amie Bettle, Nicole Baldoni, Debbie Foster, LuAnn Baldoni, Justin Baldoni, Sara Baldoni, Ideal Baldoni, Mario Baldoni, Geno Baldoni, Vicky Davis, Nancy Eads and Carrie Newcomer Meitus. Mrs. Swanson was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and was involved in many of the church activities. As a member of Ruth Circle, she sewed cancer pads for the Cancer Society and lap robes for nursing homes. She loved her church; it was a very important part of her life. She was an active member of the Vasa Order of America (a Scandinavian organization), serving as president and secretary for many years. She was a member of the Progress Club of South Bend, Pilot Club of Booneville, Arkansas, and held various offices in these organizations. She loved watching Notre Dame football, discussing politics with her brothers and playing bridge. She was a member of the Senior Citizens of Howard Park Bridge Group. She was employed by Bendix Corporation, the Portage Township Assessor's Office, and the License Bureau of South Bend. Services will be held in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 225 E. Haney Street, South Bend, on Monday, April 23, at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Dr. Marvin Wittkopf, pastor, will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, April 22, in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 South Michigan Street, South Bend, and 30 minutes prior to services Monday in the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 225 E. Haney St., South Bend, IN 46613; or to The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.